On Monday, April 27, 2026, the Master’s thesis defense for student Araz Salih Hassan Barjini (College of Political Science) was successfully held. The thesis, titled: "The Role of Air Transport in Enhancing Foreign Relations of Landlocked Regions - The Kurdistan Region of Iraq as a Case Study (2005–2025)", was conducted under the supervision of Assist. Prof. Dr. Abdul Rahman Karim Darweesh.

This research is considered one of the pioneering academic studies in the Kurdistan Region in particular, Iraq in general, and even at the regional level. It uniquely connects the development of air transport with international relations diplomacy and highlights its role in rescuing landlocked regions from geographical isolation, presenting it as a strategic choice and an alternative plan to enhance their openness and connectivity with the outside world.